Travellers' Voice

13/01/2025

The Traveller community of Enniscorthy, and further afield, banded together to raise an incredible €10,000 towards the Autism unit in Monageer national school.

The Travelling community of Enniscorthy, and further afield, banded together to raise an incredible €10,000 towards the Autism unit in Monageer national school.

17/12/2024

This has been a jam packed year for the team here at Travellers’ Voice. We have visited each corner of the country, highlighting resilience, creativity, and cultural pride, as well as featuring inspiring stories of Traveller advocates, artists, and initiatives breaking stigma and empowering communities. We hope the stories, and people featured throughout this year has inspired or encouraged you, at least in some small way.

On the cover of this issue we are proud to feature Anne Marie, winner of the Traveller Pride Award 2024, and an inspiring voice for Traveller women. With 13 years of recovery behind her, she’s a champion for breaking the stigma around mental health and addiction. Her work with Pavee Point opens up conversations, raises awareness, and even trains justice professionals to better understand Traveller realities. Her journey shows how perseverance and positivity can create real change in her community.

Trish Reilly is no stranger to Travellers’ Voice readers. A talented Traveller singer-songwriter and activist, uses her music to empower and inspire. Drawing from her roots and her time in residential care, her song Broken Lines is a powerful reflection on resilience and identity. Through creative projects like Living Artfully and The Long Green Acre, Trish celebrates Traveller culture, fostering understanding and driving social change. We recently caught up with Trish to explore her more recent projects and plans.

The Traveller and Roma cultural celebration boxes are just one tool in the kit for The Traveller and Roma Foster Care Project, which is all about keeping young people connected to their heritage. By offering culturally appropriate foster placements and thoughtful Cultural Celebration Boxes packed with books, crafts, and traditional symbols, the project helps children embrace their identity while building pride and understanding in their new homes.

The Involve organisation has had the pleasure of hosting PHD Candidate John Hoey in recent months, his passion is understanding lived experiences of and particularly tackling the stigma connected to in. In this issue he writes about how stigma around psychosis is still a big challenge, but creativity offers a fresh approach to tackling it. Whether through art, theatre, or digital media, we can use these tools to build empathy, bust myths, and empower those affected. By shifting perspectives, we take steps towards greater acceptance and inclusion.

As we publish the final issue of Travellers’ Voice Magazine for 2024, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to our readers, contributors, subscribers, and advertisers. We would also like to express a sincere thank you to DCEDIY and Pobal, who’s funding is vital for this publication to continue. Your unwavering support has made this year truly remarkable. Together, we’ve celebrated achievements, shared stories, and championed change. Here’s to continuing this journey of connection and inspiration in the years ahead!

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, and happy New Year from the team here at Travellers’ Voice. We look forward to hearing from you all in 2025!

17/12/2024

https://www.thejournal.ie/prejudice-against-travellers-and-roma-esri-study-6573558-Dec2024/

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) examined attitudes towards Travellers and Roma, as well as other ethnic and social groups, through a representative survey of more than 3,000 adults in Ireland that was carried out in the spring of 2023.

Travellers and Roma face more prejudice than any other ethnic group in Ireland, according to a new study.

28/11/2024

Your vote is your voice, and this General Election on November 29th is your chance to shape the future for you, your family, and community.

By casting your vote, you’re not just taking part in democracy – you’re standing up for the issues that matter most to you. Let’s show the strength and unity of the Traveller community by heading to the polls and making sure the community concerns are represented. Every vote counts, and your vote can make a real difference!

26/11/2024

25/11/2024

Facilitator STATUS Toolkit and the Traveller Culture and Identity Programme. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, send your cv to [email protected]

The Facilitator (21 hours / week) will be responsible for delivering Involve CLG’s STATUS Toolkit and Traveller Culture and Identity Training to organisations across Ireland. The candidate will support organisations in understanding the unique challenges faced by the Traveller community.

25/11/2024

Exciting opportunity to be part of the next chapter of Travellers' Voice Magazine. If you are interested in this role, send your CV to [email protected]

Travellers’ Voice is looking for an enthusiastic person to join our team and participate in all stages of the publication process. As manager, you will lead and support the magazine’s editorial and sales team to deliver exceptional and informative content to meet audience preferences.

18/11/2024

‘The Donegal Travellers Project Education Team were delighted to attend the National Traveller Education Achievement Awards on October 10th in Exchange House Dublin, where young Ballyshannon woman Geraldine Ward received an award for her success in the Leaving Certificate; she also won the top pri...

05/11/2024

It's Stand Up Awareness Week 2024!

This is Ireland's largest anti-LGBTQ+ bullying campaign taking place in schools, Youthreach centres and youth services across the country. Now in it's 15th year, the campaign works to make all young people feel safe and welcome in education and youth spaces and say no to LGBTQ+ bullying.

49% of LGBTQ+ post-primary school students in Ireland experience homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying. This week, hundreds of thousands of students are saying no to this and making LGBTQ+ inclusion a priority in their spaces in partnership with dedicated teachers, principals and youth workers.

For more information on the week and the types of activities that being hosted visit www.belongto.org/standup/

05/11/2024

If you, or anyone you know from the Traveller community, is at risk of Homelessness, or in Emergency Accommodation in Galway City & County and is experiencing difficulties around Accommodation, Education or Medical, please contact Nora Corcoran on 089 2501089.

04/11/2024

the No No Shame- Traveller Youth Mental Health Project will be hosting its second conference discussing the topic of Youth Mental Health following the successful event in Longford earlier this year.

Spaces are limited, register your interest through EventBrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/no-shame-traveller-youth-mental-health-conference-tickets-1046737539157?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Come join us in Douglas, Cork, on November 28th for the "No Shame" Traveller Youth Mental Health Conference! It's all about breaking down barriers, having conversations, and building a stronger community together. Don’t miss out—see you there!

To ensure youth participation we ask that only 2 staff per group attend.
Select tickets for young people only, adults must not be included in the booking.
Any questions or queries contact Patrick - [email protected]
Registration link below.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1046737539157?aff=oddtdtcreator

30/10/2024

Congratulations to No Shame – Traveller Youth Mental Health Project and Involve Youth and Community Services for winning the Community Wellbeing Award at the 2024 Navan Municipal District Pride of Place Awards! This recognition is a testament to the group’s remarkable dedication to supporting yo...

30/10/2024

29/10/2024

Wishing a huge congratulations on this monumental achievement
from everyone the Travellers' Voice Team-

Minister Catherine Martin T.D. today announced the appointment of two new members to the Board of the The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon including Rosaleen McDonagh. Rosaleen is a Traveller woman with a disability, originally from Sligo. She previously worked in Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre managing the Violence Against Women programme, and remains a board member. She was appointed to The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in May 2020, where she is the chair of the Disability Advisory Committee. Rosaleen is currently under Commission from the Abbey Theatre, she is writing an adaptation of Ibsen’s Dolls House.

Inniu d’fhógair an tAire Catherine Martin T.D. go raibh beirt chomhaltaí boird nua le ceapadh don The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, ina measc Rosaleen McDonagh. Is bean faoi mhíchumas, duine den Lucht Siúil, í Rosaleen as Sligeach ó dhúchas. D’oibrigh sí in Ionad Lucht Siúil & Romach Pavee Point ar feadh deich mbliana, ag bainistiú chlár Foréigin in aghaidh na mBan, agus tá sí fós ina ball boird. Ceapadh Rosaleen chuig Coimisiún na hÉireann um Chearta an Duine agus Comhionannas i mí Bealtaine 2020, áit a bhfuil sí ina cathaoirleach ar an gCoiste Comhairleach um Míchumas. Tá Rosaleen faoi choimisiún Amharclann na Mainistreach faoi láthair, agus tá sí ag obair ar chóiriú den saothar A Dolls House le hIbsen.

See link in Bio/Féach nasc inár mbio

29/10/2024

If you are part of the Traveller community please consider sharing the experience you've had with Ireland's education system. Your input will help shape research presented to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Please contact Sara Ponce via email at [email protected]

29/10/2024

Meet Our Changemaker of the Month: Jack Ward! 🌟

Each month, we’re honoured to feature remarkable young changemakers from our community—individuals who inspire with their dedication, resilience, and commitment to positive change. These young leaders challenge perceptions, bridge the past and present, and navigate the modern world while keeping their traditions close to heart.

This month, we’re thrilled to introduce Jack Ward, an inspiring young man who exemplifies these qualities. His story is one of strength, pride, and passion, and we had the privilege to sit down with him to learn more.

Read Jack’s story—he inspires his peers and is a shining example of what it means to lead with purpose! ✨

'Travellers' Voice

Travellers’ Voice magazine was delighted to sit down with a young champion whose remarkable sports and school achievements have captivated his community. At just 12 years old, Jack Ward is already a two-time All-Ireland boxing champion and an outstanding student, seamlessly balancing his academic ...